An index number over 100 indicates that pessimists outnumber optimists.

Today's release comes ahead of second quarter GDP figures, due out this Thursday. ASB economist Christina Leung said she expected the GDP data to show economic activity contracted 0.2 per cent over the quarter.

Dominick Stephens, Westpac's chief economist, said the latest confidence survey of 1571 people signaled that consumers were feeling more cautious.

"Higher petrol prices may be playing a role here, by leaving less disposable income in consumers' pockets," Stephens said.

In light of rising fixed-term mortgage rates and the Reserve Bank's recently announced lending restrictions, Kiwis may be feeling more worried about their ability to buy a house, or the future value of their house, he said.

"However, while consumer confidence is a touch lower than three months ago, it still points to a strengthening economic recovery," Stephens said.

"We were particularly heartened to see that households' reported financial situation continues to improve."

The survey found a big drop in willingness to spend on big-ticket items in Auckland.

Of all respondents, a net 24.7 per cent said now was a good time to buy a major household item. That was down from 34.4 per cent in June and was the lowest since June 2012.

Richard Miller, from McDermott Miller, said the main reason people gave for feeling now was a bad time to buy big ticket items, was lack of spending money.